What term describes medications that are taken under the tongue for quick absorption?

The term that describes medications taken under the tongue for quick absorption is "sublingual." This route of administration allows the medication to dissolve in the saliva and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes in the mouth. This method bypasses the digestive system, enabling a faster onset of action compared to oral medications that must first be processed through the gastrointestinal tract.

Other administration routes mentioned, such as transdermal, involve applying medication through the skin, providing a different absorption mechanism and speed. Enteral refers to any medication that is taken through the gastrointestinal tract, typically via oral ingestion, which is generally slower. Intramuscular administration involves injecting medication directly into muscle tissue, leading to a variable absorption rate depending on blood flow and the formulation of the medication. Each of these methods has its specific uses and implications in clinical practice, but for the purpose of rapid absorption under the tongue, sublingual is the correct answer.